Ella“Oh, my Goddess!” I don’t care that I’m screaming for the entire world to hear. My voice echoes off the walls as I barrel down the stairs, practically blind, tears springing from my lashes and rolling down my cheeks. I trip over my own feet and fall to my knees on the tile just as Ryatt reaches my side and hauls me upright. He doesn’t let me go. I squirm in his arms, panting, reaching a hand toward the bloodied man staining the ivory tiles crimson. Westfall’s glacier blue eyes meet mine, but his expression is strained as the wolves hold him down. Several of the wolves have him by their teeth, blood pooling around the wounds they’ve inflicted by getting him on the ground. “Isaac, please!” I shout.Isaac looks from me to Westfall, confusion blurring his features. “Alpha King!” Ryatt shouts, a touch panicked as he holds me back. “Let him go.”Cassian rushes into the room, cursing audibly as he skids to a stop. Hannah is hot on his heels but he swings his arm out to stop her. Sh
EllaI can readily admit I’ve never been good at goodbyes. I left Maddy in the woods during the war, for example, running toward what I was sure was death at the hands of my own mate or to throw myself between him and my brother. I stabbed my brother in the chest and put him into a magically induced coma rather than tell him I was thinking about leaving and crossing the veil. And then I ruined his fancy party by having Ryatt create a Goddess-damned portal in the middle of my family’s throne room. Even faced with being separated from Ryatt by war, I chose to ignore his very valid points about how dangerous King Kane was and fought with him instead of just saying goodbye. I brought Ryatt here and put my whole family through the wringer instead of letting him die because I couldn’t, and never could, say goodbye for a final time. I doubt I’ll ever change. I don’t want to, honestly. I’d rather sneak off into the night than go through… this. My family looks morose and uncomfortable i
Amanda“Lovely,” I say out loud as I run my fingers over the fine lace runner covering the length of the formal dining table in the castle in Veiled Valley. “More flowers, I think. What do you think of lilies, perhaps?” A light breeze drifts around me before crystal vases full of lilies, snapdragons, and tulips of several different shades appear out of thin air and drop onto the table. The scent of the flowers is rich and sweet, like the spring air outside. Veiled Valley is beautiful in late spring. Warm and lush and glowing with pale green as I lift my gaze from the table to the massive windows and archways leading out onto the sweeping veranda. “I love it, thank you,” I say to the house and step away to admire our work. With Granger still traveling through the Roguelands, I’ve returned to Veiled Valley. It feels good to be here again. This place–this city, and this magical castle–feel like home now. And being the Beta’s wife comes with responsibilities that keep me more than bus
EllaRyatt edges closer, slowly undoing the clasps and hooks keeping his leathers fastened to his body. There’s so much hunger in his eyes right now. Gone is that distant look of resignation, of sorrow, and of disbelief that clouded his vision the entire time we were healing in Maatua and the isles. It’s like coming home has brought my mate back to life. I feel it too. My body’s no longer heavy with grief and despair. My wounds have healed. My mind is no longer plagued by Kane and what he did to me and my body. My body only reacts to the way my mate is looking at me right now. Like I’m a meal. Like he’s been starving, and I’m the only thing that will satisfy him. But it’s been a while since I’ve seen that primal look in his eyes that makes them darken to steel. Ryatt won’t go easy on me this time. He won’t hold back. He’s not afraid to hurt me now. Because we made it home. Because we survived. And because we have time he never thought we’d have together. “Come here,” he growls a
EllaI don’t think I’ve ever been in this part of the castle before. Honestly, I feel like I haven’t seen more than half of Ryatt’s grand, mountainside home since the day I first landed in this onyx palace. But this room… this room has my full attention. The walls are the same black stone that weaves throughout the castle. Towering stained glass windows scatter ribbons of purple, blue, and ivory light across faded leather furniture and ancient portraits of what I assume are past rulers. Ornate rugs lie at odd angles, their colors bleeding into one and another, worn from age.I wonder how many people have walked across the rugs and run their fingertips over the circular table in the center of the room. I wonder how many people have looked at the incredible 3D map that covers nearly the entire table and stood in awe of it like I am now. I run my fingers across the jagged, scaled down peaks of the mountain ranges that border the northern edge of a circular model of Eastonia. My touch d
EllaA fine layer of mist covers the ground as I follow Commander Westfall down a steep embankment. Pockets of loose shale give way beside me, tumbling to the ground and shattering like glass. I pull my cloak tighter, grimacing as my feet slip and slide over the uneven ground. The sun hasn’t risen yet. Stars shine bright above us, the only light to be found. “We’re almost there,” he says gruffly. “Well,” I say tartly, glaring at the back of his big, fat head. “Those are the first words you’ve said to me in a kind tone since you died.”He says nothing, of course. He doesn’t want to be here. I don’t either, but Ryatt is calling the shots, and that means I have to go to the coven to take over–or whatever. I got one last night with Ryatt before we parted. He left Veiled Valley with Granger shortly before we left, the two of them decked out in leathers and weapons. He’d looked back over his shoulder and nodded at me. Then he was gone. Not having the mind-link with him anymore is weig
Ryatt“What the fuck is happening?” My hands curl into fists as I stalk toward the group of warriors–a gaggle of dirty, exhausted men and wolves–and stop a few feet away from their general, a young man named Tanner. His nostrils flare as he tries to stay upright in my presence, but his knees wobble. He’s resisting the urge to back away. “We were attacked last night in Fenwyrd Pass. We counted six rogues.”“Rogues don’t run in packs,” I counter, eyeing the young general. I don’t know him. He was put in his position by Artyom, who is currently speaking in low tones to Granger. “We came upon a campsite,” the young general grinds out, his teeth chattering with nerves as I lean in. He swallows hard then continues, “Two of my men were attacked from behind and hauled off into the woods. We followed and came upon a… feeding ground.”I raise my brows. “What exactly did that entail?”The general goes a little green, but clears his throat. “It’s about as bad as you could expect, my King.”‘Rog
EllaSilver manacles burn into my wrists. The hot, slippery metal slides over my bones as I curl into myself, trying to shelter myself from the pain. Water drips onto my filthy hair. It’s ice cold, which is a welcome relief from the sweltering heat radiating through the room made of sweating pale stone.There’s a single door and no windows, and I have no idea if I’m underground or high, high above in some tower. Everything from the brief moments of clarity I had after being pulled from the river to now are blurry. Flashes of being dragged by my hair through wet mud. The feeling of silver being sliced over my bruised skin. The sound of manacles being locked in place, and muffled voices lifted in snarling laughter at my expense.I woke up some time ago thirsty and in the worst pain I think I’ve ever felt. The pain radiates from my wrists and writhes a snake through every vein, over every muscle, setting deep in my bones.The worst of it lingers in my lower belly. A dull, cramping ache h
BrieLogan steps into my dad’s office. All eyes turn to him as he scans the men–Sydney, Grandpa Ryatt, my father, a few others that serve both my father and grandfather as generals, captains, and commanders. Logan’s eyes are like polished, imperfect emeralds as he eyes my grandpa wearily, like he’s not entirely sure he understands what Ryatt just said to everyone in the room. “Brie, you don’t need to be here for this,” Aviva whispers behind me, knitting her fingers in mine. But Logan growls, “She stays.”A silent, heavy, creeping hint of tension scatters around the room. The entire castle would explode if someone lit a match right now, I’m sure. My spine tingles as Logan turns to Ryatt and says, calmly despite the bite in his voice, “There’s nothing in Emberfyll.”“Quite the contrary,” my grandfather replies immediately, rounding my father’s desk, his shadow powers simmering and coiling around his fingers, “Debris has been washing up on the southern shore of Tarsian for decades now.
LoganBrie looks exhausted, but otherwise… happy, thank the Goddess, as she sits between her mother and Misty, listening to their conversation and picking at a sandwich. I lean my elbows on the table across the room where I’m sitting in silence, alone, still waiting for my mind to catch up with my body after Maeve jumped with us from the middle of the ocean to Veiled Valley. A shadow moves into view, crossing through the doorway before a shadow breaches the informal living area. Ryan looks around before turning the corner, beelining for me, waving away several rushed questions coming from the group of women on the couches nearby. He braces his hands on the table beside me, leaning down to whisper into my ear, “I need to speak to you in private before Ryatt returns. Can you come with me?”I glance at Brie, who’s watching us with her brows furrowed in worry. I suck my teeth before nodding, and Ryan moves back a step so I can stand. Brie and I have been using the mind-link as much as
BrieI pull the stool out from under my vanity, sinking down and facing Blake. I’m older than him by a few months. We’ve always been close, even when we were younger, and he tended to want to play rowdy boy games with Aris. He always sat quietly and played tea-party with me, though, without fail. He’s also the pariah of the family and knows it. His powers rival Ryatt’s, which is a terrifying thought. In fact, I often question who’s more powerful–him or Maeve? But that’s not a fair question at the moment, given that Maeve’s powers aren’t even fully developed yet. Blake, however… he exudes energy that makes my skin tingle as he sits in my desk chair, resting his elbows on his knees. “You found us, didn’t you?” He nods, a flash of guilt darkening his irises. “I admit I didn’t even look until Maeve cornered me. She felt you, she said. Sensed your arrival back in our waters.”I wonder how much Logan told the family. Probably everything, I’m sure. That man can talk, and I love that abou
BrieAt first I think I’m dreaming that I’m in my room in Veiled Valley. Familiar smells and textures unravel my senses, shielding me in a sense of calm serenity I haven’t felt in a very long time. Sunlight trickles through the curtains as they lift in a soft, warm summer breeze. Birdsong flutters through the air, breaking through murmured conversation nearby, but it sounds like a gorgeous day outside. The kind of summer day I’d spend in the garden before shifting and running into the mountains to that overlook, where a waterfall funnels back toward the city of deep, emerald green and crystal. The vision fades for the space of a breath, my eyes growing heavy once again. I wonder what I’ll dream of next? I hope it’s a good dream. But my stomach rolls and pitches, and I choke on a cough. Bright pain tingles through my body, settling at the base of my neck where a headache of epic proportions explodes, and suddenly wherever I am is too bright and far too loud. I groan, twisting into t
LoganI hit solid ground with a crunch that reverberates through my body, shocking me back to life. Dark stone and stained glass come into view, and it’s all familiar. We’re in Veiled Valley, in the castle.I blink, sucking in a breath, then curl to a seated position before swaying to my feet, my vision blurred, but I can just make out the outline of Maeve clutching Brie to her chest as Brie slumps over her arms. I run, slipping over the stone floor, and pull Brie out of Maeve’s grasp just as she begins to fall to the ground. “What is wrong with you?!” I shout at Maeve, kneeling and cradling Brie as my knees hit the ground. “What were you thinking?!”I smooth Brie’s hair out of her face. Her eyes are closed, and she’s pale, barely breathing. “Hey, Brie? Brie, come on–” I run my hand over her face, smoothing pale silver tears from her eyes, but she remains frozen. I look up at Maeve, who’s panting, a horrified look on her face. She shakes her head over, and over, mouthing something
LoganBrie folds her arms under her chest against the sudden, humid chill in the air. Thunder booms around us as the Artemis creeps toward the towering waves that should be crashing down on the deck but seem to hang in midair, casting long shadows over the ship. I rest my hands on the railing, caging Brie in against the wooden slats while we look up at the waves, neither of us breathing. In fact, everyone aboard the Artemis is standing on the deck, watching the unnerving sight in absolute bone-chilling silence. The waves simply vanish ahead of us, rolling back into the depths, allowing the fleet of over a dozen boats to pass. It’s unreal. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever. “Are you all right?” I ask my mate, resting my hand on her upper arm. She nods but is beyond words at this point. I don’t blame her. I feel like I’ve been holding my breath for the last half hour as the Artemis leads the charge. Several men scale the ratlines to hang from the masts, keeping an eye on the shi
Brie“There’s four main ports on the continent,” Logan says, bending over the crude, illustrated map of Crescent Falls and Eastonia for Alex. “Here, in Maatua. Just south of that is Avalone, in Veiled Valley. I believe that’s where we’ll be closest. However, if we come out of the veil far south, there’s a port here, in Tarsian, which is part of Eastonia. And if we’re somehow north.” He breaths, tapping the map with his knuckles. “We’ll be here, in Crescent Falls.”“And Emberfyll is… where?” Alex asks.“Somewhere… over here, I believe.” He drags a finger south from Tarsian and sharply east. I follow it, my chest tightening as I look up at him. We’re on the Artemis right now, tucked away in Alex and Monica’s private quarters. Behind us, the Asteria, the Atropos, and two other grand ships bob in the water. Beyond them, an entire fleet of ships of varying sizes follows our progress away from Tempest Valley and into the open, toward the veil. We’ve been on the water for two weeks. Before
MaeveMom stands with her arms crossed on the balcony overlooking the ballroom in our castle. In the city below, the once beautiful, tropical landscape is cast in shadow. The crystal bridges lined with greenery are now painted in banners of black. A field of flowers stretches beyond the gates of the castle, left by mourners. Left for my sister. Veiled Valley has never been this quiet and dark. The sun has barely shown itself since Brie left us. The castle itself has barely stirred in that time. It’s magic just… can’t handle Brie’s loss. It mourns with the rest of us, sometimes sending a low, choked groan through the corridors that make the lights flicker, like the magic is crying. “I’m not ready,” Mom says quietly as she watches the women below mingle in small circles, most, if not all of them, dressed in dark fabric–mourning gowns. “I’ll tell them we’re waiting. It's not a problem,” I reply, gliding to her side, reaching to lay my hand over hers as she grips the balcony, but she t
LoganBrie moves like the water, like a tree swaying in the wind, the most natural I’ve ever seen her. Her full, luscious curves are on achingly full display in the bikini she’s wearing, which does little to hide what… what I want to claim as mine. Her body, her mind, her soul… Even after spending the majority of the afternoon and evening in my wolf form, thinking finally having the opportunity to shift would clear my head, it only made those feelings worse. Feelings that tell me I’m making a mistake. Leaving her behind, choosing Emberfyll over her…. It’s the worst thing I’ve ever done. Sawyer sighs beside me, lifting his drink to his mouth. It’s rum, which I’m not a fan of but have been drinking since the boats pulled up to the dock, mostly against my will. “She’s beautiful,” he says, nudging his shoulder against my arm. “I know.” I wish she knew. I wish I could show her that, make her believe it somehow. Show her how much she’s worth, but… I’d be crossing the line we nearly cro